E-Malt.com News article: Australia: Coopers Brewery was recognized as one of Australia’s leading family businesses

Coopers was awarded a National Family Business of the Year Award at the eighth National Conference of Family Business Australia at Hamilton Island on the weekend, winning the Fourth Generation Award for Sustainability into the Future, the company released September 04.

Coopers Financial Accountant, Ms Melanie Cooper, accepted the award on behalf of Coopers. The Chief Executive Officer of Family Business Australia, Ms Philippa Taylor, said that Coopers was Australia’s sole remaining family-owned independent brewer and the third largest brewery in Australia.

“Founded in 1862 by Thomas Cooper, the company is now an unlisted public company run by the fifth generation of Coopers,” she said.

“Coopers continues to diversify its products and now produces a range of boutique and premium beers as well as home brew concentrates and liquid malt extract.

“The key element in their success was exemplified earlier this year when the company successfully fought off a hostile takeover when 94% of their 118 family shareholders stood firm in wanting the company to stay in the family.”

Ms Taylor said that family businesses represented around 80% of all Australian businesses and contributed more than AU$3.4 trillion worth of wealth to the Australian economy. Coopers Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper, said the award was a recognition of the hard work and dedication of all employees and directors of Coopers.

“Coopers shareholders have shown overwhelmingly that they want the company to remain family-owned and continue to make its own way forward,” he said. “To be recognised by Family Business Australia is a very great honour.”


06 September, 2006